Last week, we traveled with several books each and had no requests to remove them, nor any additional scrutiny. At GJT, my bag did get an extra look, but simply because the screener was training on ID'ing heavy-duty photo gear and was showing the trainee how to resolve items like big glass lenses.

I had two thick guide books in the bag, and neither were even pulled out or swabbed. My wife had three paperbacks in her bag, and it didn't get any extra looks, at GJT or at IAD on the outbound, FWIW.

I suspect rogue agents rather than some kind of new policy.